Testimony — Raúl Montejo on HB 188, Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership

Summary

Testimony addressed to the Development Committee from Raúl Montejo, who identifies as a resident of Cleveland Heights, opposing HB 188. The testimony states that the bill would allocate $10 million of taxpayer funds to create the Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership while Ohio communities face cuts to libraries, schools, healthcare, and public transit. It states that the commission excludes dissenting voices and lacks transparency and oversight, and that allocating funds through JobsOhio reduces public accountability. It urges the committee to vote NO on HB 188.

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Full text

     Dear Development Committee,

     My name is Raúl Montejo, a resident of Cleveland Heights, and I strongly oppose HB 188.
     This bill would allocate $10 million of taxpayer funds to create the Ohio-Israel Trade and
     Innovation Partnership at a time when our communities in Ohio are experiencing severe cuts to
     essential services like libraries, schools, healthcare, and public transit.

     As an independent IT professional and community organizer focused on human rights and
     economic justice, I am deeply troubled by the notion that our state would prioritize funding for
     foreign partnerships over the pressing needs of everyday Ohioans. While families in Ohio
     struggle to feed their children and access educational resources, our government considers
     funneling millions into international projects that do not serve our local interests.

     The dropout in literacy rates and the increase in homelessness are signs of the economic hardship
     many Ohioans are facing. Our local schools and social programs are vital for educating the next
     generation and ensuring access to reliable public transportation. Instead of investing in initiatives
     that would support our community's economic recovery, this bill risks compounding our
     challenges by diverting important funds into a foreign partnership.

     Additionally, the creation of this commission raises signi cant ethical concerns. It not only
     excludes dissenting voices—including Palestinian, Arab-American, and Muslim communities—
     but also lacks transparency and oversight. Allocating such funds through JobsOhio, a private
     nonpro t already criticized for its transparency issues, further reduces public accountability,
     creating avenues for potential misuse or misdirection of our tax dollars.

     With Israel's ongoing human rights violations and the current political climate complicating its
     relationships, investing taxpayer money in these initiatives places Ohio in a morally questionable
     position. We should be focusing on solutions that foster equity and scal responsibility for our
     community, not partnerships with state actors involved in acts of aggression.

     I urge the committee to vote NO on HB 188. It is crucial that we preserve human rights and
     focus our state funds on the legitimate needs of Ohio residents, rather than support foreign
     lobbying efforts.

     Thank you for considering my testimony.

     Sincerely,
     Raúl Montejo
     Cleveland Heights, OH




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